Safe to Shore

Maggie and I have started a roommate tradition during the holidays of having a little date night. Typically it involves dinner, but this year, we decided the Of Monsters and Men concert would be the perfect option. So I bought tickets and we were off!

Only to find, I forgot the tickets. Cab home, search and nothing. So now, I’ve lost the tickets. Cab back. Buy some more from someone on the street, go in and have one hell of a time. (Note: lesson learned, it’s time to carry a purse. The stuffing-it-in-your-pocket method has failed more than a handful of times. Time to adopt a new practice).

The show this Icelandic band puts on is nothing short of stellar. Granted, you can’t really understand what they’re saying due to their accents, but their spirit and energy are quite catching. We couldn’t stop smiling, laughing, dancing and singing right along. If you get the chance to see these guys, take it!

Also to note, the band passes around instruments. Everyone pretty much plays every single thing. When the keyboardist was on the clarinet and playing the keys, I was completely mind-blown.

As Maggie said at the end of the night, “Europe does everything right. They have cooler clothes, accents and can play a variety of musical instruments.”

Check in to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

With a membership to Cinema/Chicago, every few weeks there’s another screening of an upcoming feature. Over the year, I’ve been able to see some stellar films and hear inspiring Q&As with directors, writers and actors. As these screenings usually take place during the week, it’s a nice way to unwind after a work day.

This past week, we screened The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It features an all-star, British cast and does not disappoint. It’s about a group of ex-pats seeking solace, meaning and a new hip in India. The film is rich with colors, sounds and moments that feel all too real. But the film wasn’t the only thing I got that night.

As this film skews to an older, mature demographic, there weren’t many young adults there, sans the staff of Cinema/Chicago. Didn’t bother me one bit, but if it weren’t for this film, I can assure you I would not have met a most fascinating person named Sandy. Sandy is probably somewhere over the age of 70, rents library books, quotes philosophers and has spent his years doing good in Africa, Europe and Asia. He’s basically the kind of person I want to become.

We had great talks before and after the film where he told me things about himself and just things in general. When he found out I was a writer, we spent a lot of the conversation discussing linguistics, which I can honestly say, I’ve never given much thought to. We went our separate ways with the promise of catching an art exhibit.

The one thing I took away from Sandy, was his comment when I told him that he’s had such an awe-inspiring life.

“The best is yet to come.”

And if we learned anything from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, that’s exactly what’s to come.

Time to Cry

I generally view myself as a Tin Man. Just a gal completely covered in steel. Hollow inside. Though I show my true colors every now and then. These video finds put me on the brink of tears today. Carley actually cried at my desk after watching the first one.

The Power of Words: I love the way good copy can just strike a chord and punch you in the gut. Well done. And they have accents? Europe continues to be way cooler in their campaigns and I’m running out of reasons why I shouldn’t just pack a bag and move to work with companies like this. Via Celia, the gal who knows I love a good word.

Google Chrome’s Coffee: I will never tire of Google Chrome ads that make you want to weep. These things are like reality rom coms. And I for one will never get enough of them. Via AdWeek

Book it!

Stumbled upon this video via The Book Bench of a domino effect with books in London. Is it me, or does Europe put together some of the coolest videos for inspiration. I must say, I’m quite surprised the books just don’t sprawl everywhere after falling.

Ads of the Day

I’m really thankful I work in event marketing so I can pitch ideas like this for clients:

They took pics of the audience members and embedded them in the promo commercial. Totally awesome concept!

What I love most about this, is when the team called the phone and whoever answered (passerby), won a prize.

I’m so ready for the next company brainstorm session.

Ad of the Day: Eurostar

From Eurostar comes When Was the Last Time… focusing on London. I just love how the pictures on these ads say so much, requiring little text. As always, found these on I Believe in Advertising. Here’s my fav of the four:

Eurostar is basically the bullet train of Europe. So jealous.